Winter Meetings Recap

Theo and Tito are setting up for a 2010 run.

Last week the Sox signed SS Marco Scutaro to a deal, but the Sox have remained very active the past few days at the winter meetings acquiring pitching depth, and inquiring about the availability of many others. Here is a summary of what the Sox have been up to.

It has been tough to gauge the interest in Jason Bay on the open market. The team has met with his agent but have not made any significant process. The Sox process to find a LF could be a long one if the market takes a while to develop.

The Red Sox added another Ramirez to the equation, Ramon A. Ramirez. No, not our bullpen arm that we acquired for Coco Crisp last off-season, but Ramon Ramirez who previously pitched for the Reds (he was claimed off of waivers from the Rays but never pitched for them). Yet another Venezuelan, the 27 year old Ramirez (who has started and pitched from the pen) has a 3.91 ERA over 645 1/3 IP in his minor league career. As recently as 2008 he posted a 3.08 ERA in 99 1/3 IP in Triple-A where he struck out 93 batters. Last year he had a 4.03 ERA in 127 1/3 IP in Triple-A. In two major league seasons (he's logged 39 1/3 innings over the past two seasons), he has a 2.97 ERA. Ramirez could stick around in the bullpen if he has a decent spring training or provide organizational depth in Pawtucket.

The Red Sox, among other teams, will watch Cuban defector Aroldis Chapman throw next week in Houston. The interest in the hard-throwing lefty is obvious based on his talent, but it will be interesting to see how steep the price will be for the youngster's services.

It appears top prospect Casey Kelly will have every opportunity to open the season in Double-A Portland. The 20-year old is on the fast track to the majors, but the Sox will still closely monitor the youngster's workload.

The Sox continue to look for bullpen arms to replace Wagner and Saito. While the additions of Ramirez and Scott Atchison provide depth, the Sox have been linked to old friends in lefties Ron Mahay and Darren Oliver as well.

The Sox also inked 24 year old lefty Fabio Castro to a one year non-guaranteed contract. Formally of the Blue Jays, the lanky 5'8" 157 lb Castro dominated Double-A last year (0.83 ERA in 21 2/3 IP) before struggling in Triple-A (4.49 ERA in 142 1/3 IP). Castro also has 43 2/3 innings of major league experience where he posted a 3.30 ERA because he was a Rule 5 pick several years back by the Philadelphia Phillies.

The team also acquired RHP Boof Bonser from the Twins for a player to be named later (most likely a lower level minor league player). Bonser missed the entire season last year due to labrum and rotator cuff surgery. The 28 year old is a former first round pick of the Giants in 2000 and boasts a career 5.12 ERA in three major league seasons.